Defense seeks to move Sherry Arnold homicide trial

Thursday

Oct 24, 2013 at 9:04 AM

Attorneys for a Colorado man accused of killing teacher Sherry Arnold are due in court Thursday to argue for the relocation of his trial because of the heavy publicity the case has received in the small eastern Montana community where Arnold taught high school math.

Associated Press

Attorneys for a Colorado man accused of killing teacher Sherry Arnold are due in court Thursday to argue for the relocation of his trial because of the heavy publicity the case has received in the small eastern Montana community where Arnold taught high school math.

Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty against 24-year-old Michael Keith Spell of Parachute, Colo. He goes to trial Jan. 6 in Arnold's hometown of Sidney.

The Richland County Attorney's office says Spell could receive a fair trial there or another nearby county.

Defense attorneys want the case moved more than 400 miles, to Bozeman. They also want Judge Richard Simonton to suppress Spell's alleged confession.

Co-defendant Lester Van Waters Jr. pleaded guilty under a deal that calls for him to receive 100 years in prison.

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
Crookston Times - Crookston, MN ~ 124 South Broadway, Crookston, MN 56716 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service